Once a conclusion had been reached, Koutarou and the others spent the rest of the time in their own ways. There were those who began playing games, those who did their homework and more. Amongst them, Koutarou was in a kitchen holding a knife. However, that wasn't room 106's kitchen, but the kitchen on the Blue Knight.
The reason as to why he was holding a knife was Kiriha. When she tried to make dinner like normal, Koutarou told her that she didn't need to until her wound had fully healed and took the job from her. In response, she made a request for a roasted chicken like he had made for her before. But he couldn't have a large flame in an apartment, not to mention that room 106 lacked a large enough oven. As a result, Koutarou ended up preparing dinner on the Blue Knight.
“Theia, how's it going? Are you almost done?”
“J-Just wait a little longer. I've never filleted a chicken before”
“Then should I do it?”
“I don't want to just watch. I’ll do it”
“Nice guts. You can do it”
“Yeah, leave it to me”
“Master, I've finished preparing the herbs”
“Ruth-san, please mix them in with what you made before. That'll finish up our sauce”
“Okay, I understand. But still, these herbs sure are a bit on the strong side”
“Ahahaha. Back then, ingredients couldn't be conserved very well, so it was necessary to use stronger spices”
“I see, her majesty Elfaria might want to try it too”
“Ah crap... She'll definitely complain later. She'll say that I should have called her sooner”
“Fufufu, my mother just might”
Theia and Ruth were helping Koutarou with the dinner. Since this was a Forthorthe-style dish and since he didn't really know how to use their kitchen, he needed their help. The three of them were cheerfully making dinner together.
Tonight's dinner was a roasted chicken like Kiriha had requested. On the side, there would be bread and soup. Since it was something Koutarou had learned during his travels, they were all simple to make. They were currently in the middle of preparing the chicken while waiting for the bread to ferment. Everything was proceeding smoothly and would soon be done. Or so it should have been.
“Ouch?!”
The chicken's legs bounced and crashed into Theia's face. Surprised by this, Theia flinched backwards a great deal.
“What's wrong?!”
“Your highness!!”
Hearing Theia's scream, Koutarou and Ruth came running.
“Did you cut your hand?! Or was it somewhere else?!”
Koutarou took the knife out of Theia's hands and looked over them to see if there were any cuts. Ruth wiped away the dirt to make it easier for Koutarou to examine.
“I-I'm fine, I just put a little too much force into it and the leg hit my face! I'm not hurt anywhere!”
Theia hurriedly explained the situation to the two that were awfully worried. At the same time, she moved her fingers around to show that she wasn't hurt.
“I see... don't scare me like that”
“Sorry. My hand slipped a little”
“Anyways, as long as you are safe”
“Yes, sorry for the trouble”
Theia was more concerned about the two worrying in front of her than her own mistake. Fortunately, smiles returned to Koutarou's and Ruth's expressions. Seeing that, Theia felt relieved and gripped the knife again.
“Alright, just a little more”
Theia continued her work. Her knife handling was still unsteady, but she was steadily making progress with it.
“I'll ask again, but do you want me to do it? You only have to sit back and give me orders”
Koutarou offered to take Theia's place once more, thinking that preparing a chicken was still too early for a beginner like Theia.
“No, I will do this”
However, Theia shook her head. She stopped her work and stared at Koutarou.
“Indeed, I could order you whenever, wherever and whatever I wish”
Koutarou had pledged his loyalty to Theia, so she could order him to do anything.
“Then just leave this―”
“But what I want is not a puppet that looks like you. I want to see and feel the same thing as you do as you move of your own free will. That's why if you cook, I will too. That is the path that I and Ruth have chosen”
Theia smiled very happily. She was full of confidence, as if saying that was her everything.
“... It's just as you say, your highness”
Ruth nodded next to Theia. She had the same expression as Theia. The two of them had chosen the same path in life.
“If you ask me to order you even now, then...”
The smile on Theia's face disappeared and she peered into Koutarou's eyes.
“Koutarou, live the way you wish. Laugh, hate, cry and love like you please”
After saying that, Theia smiled again.
“This is the only order I can give to you as your lord right now”
“Theia...”
Her smile was so beautiful that Koutarou couldn't answer her and he just vacantly stared at her.